TO:                   ARCHDIOCESE OF PGH AND W PA (OCA) CLERGY-LAITY

FROM:             ARCHPRIEST WILLIAM J. EVANSKY, CHANCELLOR

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

With earthly grief, but yet with firm hope in the Lord’s Resurrection shared by all believers, I pass along the news of the unexpected repose in the Lord of +MATUSHKA ANNICE OLEYNIK this afternoon. Matushka Annice passed away unexpectedly in a Baltimore, Maryland, hospital this afternoon surrounded by her husband, Archpriest Joseph Oleynik, and other family members.

Born on March 4, 1954, in Marblehead, OH, Annice graduated from East Meadow High School in 1972. She then earned a degree in Psychology from Bryn Mawr University in 1976. She devoted her life to supporting her husband, Archpriest Joseph Oleynik, in service to the Orthodox Church. She was Matushka of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Canonsburg, PA for more than 38 years, including over 25 years as Choir Director. As a Matushka she cared for each parishioner the same way she cared for her garden: with love, gentleness, and generosity. Wherever she went, Annice sowed seeds of Orthodox Christian love, and was known for her kindness and joyful nature. Her greatest joys were her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, singing, reading, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Annice is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Archpriest Joseph Oleynik, her children Melanie (James) Paulick, Julianna (Anthony) Cario, and Alexis (Justin) DeArmitt, and her grandchildren, Sophia, Jacob, Mary, Elijah, Daniel, Joseph, Thomas, Evelyn, and Micah, her mother, Matushka Evelyn Hubiak, and her sister, Larice Nescott.

It has been a joy to have personally known Matushka and called her a “good friend” for nearly 45 years as Fr. Joseph and Matushka ministered joyfully to the faithful people of our Canonsburg parish until retiring several years ago to the Maryland area. She will TRULY be missed by us all!

The funeral service was held at their Berlin, MD, parish, and she was interred at the cemetery at St Tikhon Monastery. The parish of St John the Baptist in Canonsburg, where she and Father Joe were assigned for 38 years, will be having a 40th Day Memorial Service on Sunday, August 18th, at 6pm.

In the meantime, please keep her and the family in your prayers during this time of sudden loss.

+MEMORY ETERNAL!+

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July 9 - 6-8 pm - Visitation at Christ the Savior parish, Berlin, Md // Parastas at 7pm

July 10 -  5:30-7 pm - Visitation at Christ the Savior // Funeral at 7pm

July 11 - 1 pm - Burial at St. Tikhon's Monastery 

* Christ the Savior Church is located at: 10315 Carey Road, Berlin, MD 21811

* Fr. John Parsells is the parish priest - office: 302-537-6055

* Any of our diocesan priests/deacons with liturgical questions about the funeral should contact Fr. John Parsells.

* Any of our diocesan priests/deacons intending to concelebrate at the services should contact me so I can inform Archbishop MELCHISEDEK. The priest/deacon can then contact Metropolitan TIKHON for permission to serve within his diocese with our hierarch’s approval.

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In Christ,

Archpriest William J. Evansky

Chancellor

Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western PA

Orthodox Church in America

P.O. Box 1769

Cranberry Twp., PA 16066-1769

724-776-5555: Chancery Office

724-266-5009: Ambridge Parish Office

frbill158@verizon.net: Email